SUNSHINE AURA – self-esteem. self-love. self-actualization. 

Like a dog on a tight leash

Or a baby cow wrangled with rope

You have this grip on my throat

Digging deep into my skin, unrelenting

Jerking me around as you please

And I do not like it – nobody would like this.

Feeling constantly surveilled

Afraid to speak up and say the truth

Knowing if I step out of line

There will be consequences.

Very real impacts on my future –

Financially, mentally, and emotionally.

Undermining all the trust built

Taking away the healthy reliance I once had on you

Forcing the ground to be unstable.

Floor is lava?

More like this entire place is lava

And any step I take will get me burned.

Restriction is not love.

Restriction is not respect.

Restriction is not safety.

Once I learned that lesson

I knew I would never go back.

Try your hardest to hold me back

To take away my opportunities

To make me feel unsure and insecure.

I will always turn your restriction into freedom

Into love and growth

Expanding myself to all four corners without fear

For I am a wild creature forged in fire.